Welcome Olney678.
Great post and I totally agree - he is a leader and love him or loathe him, he does deliver on the field.

People of here bang on about Nuttley, et al and how it is an absolute travesty that they didn’t get first team game time. But look where they have gone to. The only departing player of recent years who has been snapped up by a better side than us is Calum Clarke. The rest have gone to the championship or lower or as bench fodder for bottom end teams.

If these lads were so fantastic then why hasn’t a top team snapped them up?

I’m sure Boyd has a plan and didn’t see the young lads as making the grade and is backfilling with experience where it is needed (Woody should be doing that role but is playing so under par that I can’t see him being anything more than a bit part player next season).

Let's put it this way, every single Rugby fan I have in my phone has messaged me this morning ripping me a new one, all finding this signing absolutely hilarious. Can't believe we are the fools going in for him.

Welcome indeed Olney678 and for a first post that is spot on with my thinking too. Ditto comments about Dylan Courts etc possibly (probably) having input.

The off field 'persona' is as with many high-profile sportsmen and women all meant to keep the cash till ringing with endorsements ads etc. I often find it amusing when some folk comment on any in the news be it sports or entertainment (same thing?) etc "Oh I can't stand such and such" when they have never met the individual let alone got to know them, don’t confuse public ‘face’ with private.

Finally, we are all excited and pleased to have a top rugby coach joining us who must be having his say in guiding recruitment.

WrenchLet's put it this way, every single Rugby fan I have in my phone has messaged me this morning ripping me a new one, all finding this signing absolutely hilarious. Can't believe we are the fools going in for him.

My mates say great signing - I guess we will find out who is smarter

Flappers - you know I respect your opinion but do you think Boyd is an idiot? You need depth in the back row, is such an attritional game.

Bob StainsbyWelcome indeed Olney678 and for a first post that is spot on with my thinking too. Ditto comments about Dylan Courts etc possibly (probably) having input.
The off field 'persona' is as with many high-profile sportsmen and women all meant to keep the cash till ringing with endorsements ads etc. I often find it amusing when some folk comment on any in the news be it sports or entertainment (same thing?) etc "Oh I can't stand such and such" when they have never met the individual let alone got to know them, don’t confuse public ‘face’ with private.

Finally, we are all excited and pleased to have a top rugby coach joining us who must be having his say in guiding recruitment.

Saint JerichoHe's being announced at 10 so it's definitely happening. We can't change it so let's get behind Haskell and trust in Boyd's vision. Welcome James.

Reluctantly this. As others have said, let's hope we see him hungry on the pitch heading to the RWC and get no antics off the field. Can't fault his pedigree. Boyd knows slightly more than me. Only slightly though*

I can feel a Hoddle's Hunch coming on! How many games will this gym monkey play for Saints? Given his ambition to play for his country and the inevitable injuries that will occur due to his age, I will guess 10.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment.
We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals.
We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards.
If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing
abuse@sportnetwork.net